GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Abortion: The termination of a pregnancy by removal of an embryo or fetus. When deliberate steps are taken to end a pregnancy, it is called an “induced abortion”.
First Trimester Medical/Chemical Abortion: The mother ingests pills to end the pregnancy. Used most frequently 5-10 weeks
First Trimester Suction D & C (Dilatation and Curettage (pronounced dial-ay-tation and cure-ett-tah-ge): The mother goes to an abortion clinic or hospital to have the baby removed from the uterus deliberately. Used most frequently from 5-13 weeks.
2nd Trimester Surgical Abortion- Dilatation and Evacuation (D & E): A mother goes to an abortion clinic or hospital to have the baby removed from the uterus deliberately. Performed between 13-19 weeks of pregnancy.
Mifepristone (pronounced mif-ah-priss-tone): Also called RU-486. Mifepristone is an anti-hormone medication that blocks the action (the production of) a hormone called progesterone.
Progesterone: Naturally produced in a mother’s body to stabilize the lining of the uterus. Progesterone stimulates growth of the blood vessels that supply womb lining. It also stimulates the lining to release nutrients providing nourishment for the early embryo. Progesterone inhibits contraction of the smooth muscle of the uterus so that it grows as the baby does.
Misoprostol (pronounced meeso-proh-stall): Used for cervical softening, dilation, uterine contractions. Not approved by the FDA for these things specifically.
Mifegymiso (miff-ah-gym-eeso): The 2-pill drug package containing mifepristone and misoprostol sold in Canada to pregnant women.
Medical Speculum: The speculum is used to open the vagina so the abortionist can see the cervix, the entrance to the uterus.
Weighted Speculum: This opens the vagina wider than a regular speculum to allow for a bigger baby to pass through.
Laminaria: A type of sterilized seaweed that absorbs water over 8-12 hours and swells to several times its original diameter.
Cervix: A closed canal between the uterus and vagina. Acts as a gate to the uterus.
local anesthetic: A drug to result in a temporary loss of sensation or awareness.
Dilators: Metal rods used to open the cervix. Increase in thickness to make the cervix fully dilate unnaturally.
Suction catheter: It’s clear plastic and about 9 inches long with a hole through the centre. It is inserted through the cervix into the uterus.
Curette: A long metal rod with a curved blade at the end used to scrape the uterus after an abortion. Can cause damage to the uterine lining creating long term pregnancy complications.
Trimesters: When a woman is pregnant there are 3 trimesters.
Trimester 1: 0-13 weeks
Trimester 2: 13-24 weeks
Trimester 3: 24-40 weeks